Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to provide park and ride services in all appropriate locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47854/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to provide park and ride services in all appropriate locations. The provision of car parking at railway stations is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with local authorities. Iarnród Éireann are carrying out a network-wide programme of expanding existing or developing new car parks, with the assistance of Exchequer funding, to cater for demand.

Within the past year car parks have been opened or been extended at eight train stations namely Leixlip Louisa Bridge, Mallow, Ennis, Tullamore, Arklow, Limerick, Hazelhatch and Gormonston resulting in over 1,350 extra car parking spaces. New car parks are also due to open at Portmarnock, Newbridge, Rush & Lusk, Donabate, Laytown, Portarlington, Carlow, Wicklow, Gorey and Limerick Junction over the next eighteen months. I understand that Iarnród Éireann is currently examining a number of other locations for their suitability for expansion. To date, Exchequer funding of €21m has been allocated for the car park expansion programme.

There are currently four Park and Ride sites along the existing Luas network at Red Cow, Sandyford, Stillorgan and Balally. The Luas Park and Ride facility at Tallaght is temporarily closed and Luas passengers are being accommodated in an adjacent facility. The Luas Park and Ride facility at Sandyford is currently closed to facilitate work on the extension of the Luas Green Line to Cherrywood. When the Luas extension to Cherrywood is complete, the Sandyford Park and Ride will re-open but with a reduced capacity for around 45 cars.

The RPA is in discussion with a private developer and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on the provision of a Park and Ride facility at Carrickmines in the context of the Luas extension to Cherrywood which is currently under construction. The planned extension of the Luas Red Line to Citywest provides for a Park and Ride facility at Cheeverstown. Metro North, which will run from St. Stephen's Green to Swords via Dublin Airport, will have 3 Park and Ride sites. These will be located at Belinstown, north of Swords, Fosterstown, south of Swords and at Dardistown between the Airport and the M50. The preferred route for the further extension of the Green line from Cherrywood to the Bray area provides for a Park and Ride facility at Fassaroe.

The RPA hopes to provide Park and Ride facilities at a number of key locations along the proposed Metro West route. In particular, RPA is investigating Park and Ride facilities from the N2 (Ashbourne) at the proposed Huntstown and Meakstown stops, the N3 (Navan) at the Blanchardstown stop, the N4 (Lucan) at the Quarryvale stop and the N7 (Naas) at the Newlands stop. Additional facilities might also be provided at other locations.

I have made funding available to local authorities in the Greater Dublin Area to provide park and ride facilities. It is a matter for the local authorities to develop proposals and to apply for funding. To date I have received no such applications. However, the local authorities in question are continuing to explore the possibilities for such facilities. In this regard, An Bord Pleanála recently refused planning permission for a proposed facility on the N4 for South Dublin County Council. I have also made funding available in the regional cities for bus priority and park and ride facilities. It is a matter for the local authorities to develop proposals and apply for funding.

Funding has been provided to Cork City Council for a successful park and ride facility at Black Ash, and my Department is in discussion with the Council regarding a proposal for a similar facility on the Western side of Cork City. I understand that other regional cities are also seeking to develop proposals, taking account of the constraints of obtaining suitable sites.